Flush tank valve



July 21, 1953 C. J. DORFF 2,646,069 FLUSH TANK VALVE l Filed Nov. 26, 1948 l5 INVENTOR.

34 Y Conrad J. Doff 32 I By l /4 wm a (Hiya Patented July 21, 1953 A'i'ENT OFFICE FLUSH TANK VALVE Conrad John Dorff, Chicago, Ill., assignor to C. J.

Dorff Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 26, 194s, serial No. 62,161

3 Claims.

This invention relates-in general to valves, and more particularly to an improved valve structure specifically applicable for use in convene tional flush tanks.

The float-actuated flush tank valves of the prior art' generally have two outstanding disadvantages. They are fully opened long before the tank has been completely emptied of the water stored therein and before the lioat reaches its lowermost position, and remain in such fully opened position during substantially the entire tank draining and filling cycle, and they are inherently noisy in operation.

A principal object of the instant invention,

therefore, is the provision of an improved valve, applicable for use in conventional ush tanks, which effectively obviates such disadvantages.

Anotherimportant object of the invention is t'o provide a vwater inlet valve structure which is substantially inaudible in operation, so that itY does not require additional or special piping or the like, when used in a conventional flush tank, to conduct the inflowing water Ato the bottom of the tank and direct it tangentially thereto in order to quiet its operation, as is the case in some well-known prior art structures. y

A further important object of this invention is the provision in such a valve structure cfa movable valve member which cooperates with two different stationary ,valve members to establish either a minimum or a maximum flow, 'orto prevent any discharge of water therefrom. Another object is to effect automatic cyclic actuation of suchmovable valve member under the control of theV conventional `float in a ilush tank, whereby the usual rapid lowering of the float during a flushing action will move the valve member from its normal lowermost, float-retained shutoii position quickly past its intermediate, fully open position to an upper, seepage position to insurethe fastest possibledischarge from the tank of the flushing charge of water contained therein. Y

A further object of the invention is to insure relling of the tank lin` the shortest possible time, which is accomplished during the closing portion vof the cycle ofvoperation of the movable valve member under control of the oat; a very short upward movement of the float, resulting from water passing the movable valve member in its upper seepage position, being suflicient to lower the valve member therefrom to its fully fopen position. Y

.Another object is to provide a valve structure having such advantageous characteristics which may readily be substituted for any well-known conventional flush tank valve and, at the same time,kvvith the exception of one stationary valve part, in the formof a porcelain nipple, and a rubber valve washer, is constructed entirely of component parts adapted to be manufactured on screw machines.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

.Figure l is a side elevational View of a valve structure embodying the invention, showing the same mounted in a conventional flush tank, the latter and its standard associated parts being illustrated diagrammatically Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View through the valve structure of Figure 1 showing the same in closed position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the movable valve member in a fully opened position;

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figures 2 and 3 showing the movable valve member in its upper, seepage position; and

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectionalY View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral I I indicates a conventional flush tank, illustrated diagrammatically in Figu re 1, having a standard water inlet or supply pipe I2 and overliow I3. The valve structure comprising the instant invention is designated generally by reference numeral I4, and is illustrated in Figure l as mounted in the conventional flush tank lI upon the upper end4 of the water supply pipe I2. The conventional flush Valve which is manually operated to drain the tank IIl is not illustrated in Figure l, since this forms no part of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, the valvestructurelli comprises an inner casing I5, an outer casing i6 mounted thereon, a mounting nut Il having screw threaded attachment with the lower end ofthe inner casing I5 and adapted to be screwed onto the `upper end of the water inlet pipe I2, anda movable valve member I8 slidably mounted interorly of the inner casing I5. A connecting rod I9 is threaded into a suitL able tapped aperture in the upper portion of the movable valve member I8 and extends through the bore of a reduced upper end portion 2l formed integrallywith the inner casingl l5. The upper end of thisrod I9 is transversely slotted to receive the inner end of a lever 22 which is pivotally connected thereto by means of a pin 23. The outer end of the lever 22 is provided with a tapped aperture 24 for receiving one end of a conventional rod 25 having the usual float 26 (Figure l) attached to its other end. The outer surface of the reduced upper end ZI of the inner casing I is threaded to receive a tapped collar 21 having a atted extension formed integrally therewith which is embraced by the lower slotted end of a link 28 pivotally connected thereto by a pin 29. The upper end of the link 28 is similarly slotted to embrace the central portion of the lever 22 to which it is connected by a pivot pin 3i.

As previously mentioned, the inner casing I5 is adapted to be mounted upon the upper end of the conventional water supply pipe I2 by means of the mounting nut I1. The upper end of mounting nut I1 is counterbored, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, to receive the lower flanged end of a porcelain nipple 32 which comprises a stationary valve member. The lower portion of the bore of the inner `casing I5 is provided with an annular flange 33 against which a nipple-retaining washer 34 is held by the upper end of the mounting nut I1. With this arrangement, the porcelain nipple 32 is held firmly in place within the casing I5 by the washer 34, which embraces the nipple 32 and overlies its flanged bottom end, and the Washer limits upward movement of the mounting nut I1 to relieve the lower ange of the porcelain nipple of undue stress.

Above the flange 33, the bore of the inner casing I5 is relieved or enlarged to provide an annular chamber 35 normally surrounding the lower end of the movable valve member i8. The outer diameter of the movable valve member I8 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the main portion 35 of the bore of the inner casing I 5, this difference being approximately two thousandths of an inch. The lower end of this movable valve member I8 is counterbored to receive a standard `hard rubber washer 31 forming a valve which cooperates with the upper end ofthe porcelainnipple 32 to shut oif the water supply from the inlet pipe I 2. The lower end of the movable valve member I8 also preferably is provided with an axially depending protuberance 38 which extends into the central aperture of the valve or washer 31 and is slotted to facilitate assembly of the valve F member I8 on the connecting rod I9.

The outer surface of the movable valve member I8 is provided with a circumferential groove 39 for the purpose of establishing communication, when the valve I8 is in an intermediate or fully opened position as illustrated in Figure 3, with a plurality of transversely disposed outlet apertures 4I extending through the walls of the inner casing i5. The bottom portions of these apertures 4l are spaced from the upper end of the -chamber 35 within the casing I5 substantially the same distance that the lower edge of the circumferential groove 39 is spaced from the bottom end of the movable valve member I8, as best illustrated in Figure 4. As seen in Figure 5, the outer surface of the main portion of the inner casing I5 is hexagonal in cross section, and one of the outlet apertures 4I is centrally located with relation to each of the resulting vertical outer walls 42 of the casing. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the inner casing I5 is provided intermediate this main hexagonal portion and its reduced upper end '2l with a cylindrical portion 43, and it is upon this cylindrical portion that the outer casing I6 is mounted, the outer casing haVIlg all aperture formed in its upper wall, defined by an annular flange 44, into which the upper end of the cylindrical portion 43 of the inner casing I5 is press-fitted. As shown in Figure 5, the bore of the outer casing I6 is so dimensioned as to slidably engage the vertical intersecting edges of the walls 42 of the inner casing I 5, so that a plurality of separate vertical outlet passages 45 are provided between the casings I5 and I6, each one of which communicates at its upper end with one of the outlet apertures 4I and is open at its lower end. At its upper end, the outer casing I6 is provided with an overow aperture 45 communicating with the lower end of a tapered aperture in a nipple or fitting 41, which is secured in any suitable manner, as by soldering, to the outer surface of the casing I 6. The tapped aperture of this fitting 41 is adapted to receive one end of a standard copper overow tube 48 (Figure l), the other end of which communicates with the conventional overflow I3 of the tank II.

From this description of the preferred embodiment of the valve structure I4 herein illustrated, it will be readily apparent how the latter is adapted for use in any conventional type of flush tank, being supported therein at the desired distance above the bottom of the tank II by attachment of the mounting nut l1 on the upper end of the water inlet or supply pipe I2. The standard rod which is secured to the loat 2B may be screwed into the tapped aperture 24 in the valve-actuating lever 22, and since the outer casing l5 is free to be twisted around its vertical axis relative to the inner casing I5, the fitting 41 may be positioned as required in yany particular installation for attachment thereto of the overflow tube 4B. The length and shape of the rod 25, together with the length of the inlet pipe I2, will determine the depth of water in the tank I I that will eifect closing of the valve structure I4. This closed position of the valve is illustrated in Figure 2, wherein the movable valve member I8 is held in its lowermost position by the float 25, through the agency of the lever 22, link 28 and connecting rod I9, to maintain the movable valve or washer 31 in firm contact with the upper edge gg the stationary valve seat or porcelain nipple Whenever a flushing action is instituted, resulting in the rapid `draining of the water stored in the tank II, the oat 26 will fall quickly to its lowermost position, thereby lifting the movable valve member I8 to its upper most position of Figure 4. In such position, the lower end of the valve member I8 functions in conjunction with the main bore `of the stationary casing I5, which acts as a second stationary valve member, to permit seepage of water from the inlet pipe I2 through the outlet apertures 4I. This result is obtained because of the above-described difference between the diameters of the movable valve member I8 and the bore 36. The water thus permitted to enter the outlet apertures 4I will ow downwardly through the associated outlet passages and along the outer surface of the inlet pipe I2 to the bottom of the tank I I. Such seepage ow of the water is insufficient to result in any appreciable quantity thereof being drained from the tank during a flushing operation and before the automatic closing of the usual flushing valve controlling draining of the water from the tank. It is suiiicient, however, to result in enough water being disposed in the bottom of the tank, after such automatic closing of the oonventional flushing valve, to result in the oat 26 being raised Within a relatively short time far enough to move the valve member I3 downwardly a suiicient distance to provide communication between the chamber 35 inthe inner casing I5 and the groove 39 of the movable valve member. This results in a rapid flowof Water from the inlet pipe I2 into the tank to eiect'continued lifting of the 'loat 2-6. i

In Figure 3, the movable valve member -Iis illustrated in such a fully opened or intermediate position. When so disposed, the valve member I8 permits flow of water from` the inlet pipe I2 through the nipple 32, the chamberA 35,'the groove 39 and the several outlet apertures 4I to their associated vertical passages 45. The shape of the groove 39, the disposition of the outer casing It on the inner casing I5 to provide these outlet passages 45, and the resultingT direction of the flow of water by these vertical passages down the outer surface of the inlet pipe I2 results in an extremely quiet and substantially inaudible filling of, the tank II.

As the valve member I8 is moved downwardly from its intermediate position of Figure 3 to its lowermost position or" Figure 2 by the resulting raising of the float 25, the rate of flow oi water into the tank from the inlet pipe I2 is gradualiy decreased, until again reduced to a seepage ilow Yby virtue of the outer surface of the valve member I8 cooperating with the inner surfaces of the flange 33 and bore 35 of the casing I5 below the voi Figure 2 to its seepage position of Figure 4i through the intermediate position of Figure 3. While passing through this latter, fully open position, a maximum flow of water from the inlet pipe I2 to the tank will be permitted, but as previously noted, this opening movement of the valve i8 is so rapid that only a very small quantity of water is thus permittedto enter the tank II. Consequently, the instant valve I4 is extremely economical in use, and the position of the float 28 may be As will be appreciated from this description, the Y particular water pressure available in the inlet pipe I2 will not alect the operation of this valve structure. Another distinct advantage of this particular valve mechanism resides in the fact that al1 of the parts thereof, with the single ex.- ception of the porcelain nipple 32, are adapted to be manufactured on screw machines, and the assembly of this structure` and its installation in any conventional flush tank are quickly and readily accomplished. With the connecting rod I9, actuating lever 22, tapped collar 2l Vand link 28 joined as a subassembly, mounting thereof on the inner casing I5, and attachment of the Valve member I8 tothe connecting rod I9 may be accomplished at the samel time. If it is desired to remove the valve structure I4 from the flush tank II, it is necessary only to disconnect the rod 25 6 i and the overflow tube 48 and unscrew the mounting nut I'I from the inlet pipe I2. If, because of a long period of service, the nut I l has become frozen on the pipe I2,the valve structure I4 may readily be removed from the tank merely by knocking out the pivot pins 29 and 3l to enable separate removal of the connecting rod I9 and the tapped collar 2'I. Thereafter, the outer casing I6 may be removed upwardly from the inner casing I5 to enable removal of the latter from the mounting nut I'I, which will give easier access for removal of this nut I1 from the pipe I2.

The porcelain nipple 32 should last as long as it is desired to use the valve I4, but the Washer 3l may in time wear to such an extent as toresult in leakage therepast with the valve member I8 in its lowermost position of Figure 2. As above described, however, the valve structure I4 may be readily removed from the `inlet pipe I2 to enable replacement ofthe washer 31 if it becomes worn. Any leakage resulting from .wear of the washer 31 will not cause overflow of water from the tank I I,

however, except through the overflow aperture 46, fitting 41, and overflow tube 48.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment of the invention.

I claim: K

l. A valve structure adapted to be mounted in a container having a water supply pipe eX- tending upwardly into the interior thereof, comprising an inner casing connectable at its lower end to said supply pipe and having outlet means intermediate its ends, valve means disposed interiorly of said casing to control the now of water from said pipe to said outlet means, said inner casing having a portion of its outer surface defined by a plurality of vertically extending intersecting walls and said outlet means comprising a separate aperture extending through each of said walls and an outer casing surrounding and supported at its upper end by said inner casing and having a bore slidably engaging the vertical intersecting edges of said walls to define a separate outlet passage communicating with each of said apertures and open at its lower end to provide means for directing the flow of water from said outlet means down the'exterior of said pipe.

2. A valve structure of the class described for controlling the flow of fluid from an inlet conduit in response to vertical movements of a iloat, comprising a casing attachable to said inlet conduit and having'an inner Abore and outlet means communicating therewith, a stationary valve seat mounted in said casing in spaced relation to said outlet means and interposed between the latter and said inlet conduit, an imperforate movable valve member having an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of said bore and slidably mounted therein, said movable valve member being interconnectable with said float for actuation thereby between a closed position in engagement with said valve seat and a seepage position permitting only a minimum oW of fluid from said inlet conduit to said outlet means, the bore of said casing being enlarged between said valve seat and said outlet means to form an annular chamber, said movable valve member beingA provided with a circumferential groove adapted to interconnect said chamber and said outlet means to permit a maximum ow of iiuid to the latter from said inlet conduit `when said movable valve member is disposed intermediate said closed and seepage positions, a portion of the outer surface of said casing being defined by a plurality of intersecting Walls, said outlet means comprising a plurality of apertures one of which extends through each of said walls, and an outer cylindrical member mounted on said casing and having a bore slidably engaging the intersecting edges of said Walls to dene a separate outlet passage communicating with each of said apertures.

3. A valvestructure, comprising an inner casing attachable at one end to a fluid supply conduit, an outer casing mounted on the other end of said inner casing and defining outlet passage means therewith, said inner casing having a bore with a stationary valve seat mounted therein and outlet apertures spaced from said valve seat and interconnecting the bore with said outlet passage means, said bore being enlarged to provide an annular chamber intermediate said apertures and said valve seat, and a movable valve member mounted for sliding movement in, `and of only slightly smaller diameter than, said bore for cooperation therewith in one extreme position to permit seepage flow of iluid therebetween from said conduit to said apertures and cooperating with said valve seat in the other extreme position thereof to prevent flow of uid from said supply conduit, said movable valve member having a circumferential groove for interconnecting said annular chamber and CONRAD JOHN DORFF.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,727 Svirsky 1Feb. 26, 1946 547,620 Senna Oct. 8, 1895 909,328 Perkins Jan. 12, 1909 986,865 Ryan Mar. 14, 1911 1,140,054 Moore May 18, 1915 1,178,396 Hackett Apr. 4, 1916 1,274,924 Michaels et al Aug. 6, 1918 1,606,274 Utley Nov. 9, 1926 1,685,987 Delaney Oct. 2, 1928 1,982,550 Skuttle Nov. 27, 1934 2,329,337 Criss Sept. 14, 1943 2,390,134 Svirsky Dec. 4, 1945 2,395,906 Owens Mar. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 416,368 Great Britain Sept. 12, 1934 

